Stbaw-ctjttee



L. LEAVENWORTH.

Straw- Cutter.

Patented Oct. 11, 1859.

N. vzrcns Piano-Lithographer. Washington. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

LUCIUS LEAVENWVORTH, OF TRUMANSBURG, NEW YORK.

STRAW-CUTTER.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 25,744, dated October 11, 1859.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Loans LEAVENWORTH, of Trumansburg, in the county of Tompkins, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Straw-Cutter; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my straw-cutter. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view of same. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the rockers and springs.

Similar letters of reference in the three views indicate corresponding parts.

Hy invention consists in a particular arrangement of the lever which carries the knife. In order to give to this lever or to the knife a double motion, one oscillating as the lever is moved up and down and the other reciprocating or drawing, whereby the cutting operation is greatly facilitated; and also, in order to avoid friction as much as possible, I employ two segmental rockers, one on the end of the lever and the other on the frame, which are connected by two springs, as will be hereinafter more fully explained and the surfaces of which form parts of circles, whereby the rocking surface of the lever is compelled, to roll over the rocking surface of the frame and to impart to the lever a motion in a longitudinal direction, as the same is moved up and down. Each of the rockers is also provided with a projecting flange to protect the springs from injury.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention I will proceed to describe it.

A represents a bracket of cast iron, or any other suitable substance that is screwed up against a post or against the wall at a convenient height for the operator. This bracket is provided with a dove-tailed socket, a, which receives the end of the frame, B, as clearly shown in the drawing. This frame may also be made of cast-iron, this being the cheapest and most convenient material for my purpose.

The top of the frame, B, forms a rocking surface, C, and it (the frame) forms the support for the lever, D, to which the knife is attached. The lever is secured to the frame by means of a pivot, I), that moves in a half circular slot, 0, leaving the lever free to move in a longitudinal direction as it oscillates. The upper part of the lever forms a rocking surface, E, similar to the rocker, C, on the frame, and the two rockers are connected by two springs, (Z, each of which extends from one end of the rocker, C, to the opposite end of the rocker, E.

These springs facilitate the operation of the lever and they prevent the two rockers slipping one over the other so that the rocker, E, is compelled to roll on the rocker, C, when the end of the lever is moved up and down. Each of the rockers is provided with a projecting flange, 6, whereby a space is formed in which the springs, d, work freely. By these flanges the springs are perfectly protected against injury from pressure or friction; while without these flanges the springs would be very liable to break.

Secured to the frame, A, is the feed-box, F; and an adjustable guide-plate, G, is attached to the front side of the lever, D, before the knife in such a manner that it governs the length of the cuts.

My straw-cutter is very simple, not liable to get out of order and easily handled. hen it is not used the frame, B, together with all its appendages is slipped out of the bracket, A, and it is hung up to the wall.

The arrangement of my rockers and springs gives to my knife that particular drawing motion which so greatly facilitates the cutting operation, and, at the same time, the friction of the working parts is almost entirely avoided.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The arrangement and combination of the rockers, C and E, and springs, (Z, substantially as described for the purpose of giving a double motion to the knife, and to avoid friction of the working parts.

LUCIUS LEAVENXVORTH.

\Vitnesses:

CHs. M. HUGHES, M. M. LIvINes'roN. 

